The potential of poetry to create indelible images, extend the reach of language, and express complex ideas and feelings through metaphor makes it a powerful force for illuminating cultural experiences. In the Muslim world, among all sects, far more than in our own society, poetry plays a central role in all aspects of life—intellectual, spiritual, social, and political. In these cultures, the many forms of poetry provide the language to speak of God or of one’s beloved, tell the stories of epic heroes, honor the departed, celebrate marriage, express the insights of the moment, and, often, shape a way of life.
In the same way that American movies, music, and art have created pathways to understanding the U.S. for those abroad, we can find insight into these varied cultures through their poetries. This exhibition and the discussions and performances that accompany it highlight poetic traditions from four major languages: Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu, and introduce poetry from Asia and Africa as well as Muslim communities in the United States.
Poetry as a performed art has played a central role in the dissemination and resulting widespread love and knowledge of poetry throughout this part of the world.
City Lore and Poets House invite you to explore Poetic Voices of the Muslim World in the pages of this web exhibit and in person at your local library.